Loving tributes to town’s first mayor

FOND memories and loving tributes have been shared after the recent passing of Gainsborough’s first mayor, a caring family man and a local school hero.

Born and bred in the town, Roy Ingham was the inaugural mayor of Gainsborough in 1992 as well as teaching at North County Primary School and Middlefield Lane School for more than 23 years.

A joiner by trade, he also had a spell in the Royal Air Force.

He died aged 75 on Tuesday 20th September.

As well as also twice being president of the Gainsborough Lions, Roy was also heavily involved in the town council, school football, refereeing, table tennis, fund-raising tea dances at Morton Village Hall, and was a member of the John Coupland Hospital League of Friends.

“He was really proud to be Mayor and to be such an important part of the town,” said Roy’s daughter Carol Andrews

“In life, and when he taught at schools, everybody always said he was firm but fair - and always very popular.”

“He was always very active, whether he was walking, playing football or taking the kids youth hostelling or on trips.”

“Kids used to love having him as a woodwork teacher because he’d always finish the work for them! He really enjoyed the hands-on side of teaching and really liked to get stuck in.”

She continued: “You just couldn’t stop him. Dad would always go walking in the Dales with a group of other teachers - he had so many friends.”

Those close to Roy also said he was a very loving family man.

“He treated all of this grandchildren the same,” said Carol. “He was always there for them and very involved, and was always taking them away camping and showing them how to do different things like sports and making stained glass.”

“With him loving sport so much, he always wanted to know how the kids were doing in football and cricket - and if they weren’t doing well he’d always want to know why not!”

Carol added: “He was always there if you needed him and we’ll remember him as a very active and happy-go-lucky type of man.”

Carol’s sister Linda Kemp also has very good memories of him.

“He never liked to be sat still for very long,” she said. “You couldn’t sit him down and he was always busy doing something.”

Roy’s other daughter Pamela added: “Dad just a true Gainsborough man - born and bred and through and through.”

Roy married his wife Barbara in 1961, who passed seven years ago.

He leaves behind his three daughters Carol, Linda and Pamela, as well as six grandchildren Gary, Daren, Amy, Anne-Marie, Vanessa and Michael.

The family said they would like to thank Roy’s close friend and companion Glynys Barker for taking care of him and for all that she has done over the least six years.

They would also like to thank Cliff Bradley and Sons funeral directors, Kay Hargreaves and the District Nurses, the Marie Curie Nurses and St Barnabas.

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